In my previous post, you can see what the view from our hotel room was like at 9:25 in the morning - not exactly walking-friendly! But after a long and leisurely breakfast, the world looked different, and we donned our hiking boots, ready for some first exploring straight from our door.
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| Church of St. Oswald |
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| See the moutain in the back? That is the highest peak in the National Park - and of course we were going to climb it. |
This first walk was easy and on comfortable paths, nothing strenuous, just to get our feet used to the hiking boots again after a year of not needing them.
We walked from St. Oswald (our village) to the next one, Riedlhütte, stopped at a glass maker's place for a quick look round and had a nice chat with a very friendly lady at Riedlhütte's tourist office, where we stocked up on maps, bus time tables and found the precious little guide book that would become our permanent companion for the next 8 days.
The part of the walk I enjoyed most was through the peat bog. Peat has never played the same important role in this area as on, say, the Hebrides, because there was always plenty of wood available from the forest. But it has formed a unique landscape with plants and animals only to be found there. The entire area is protected; you are not allowed to light a fire, leave the paths, pick flowers or leave your litter about (something I'd never do anyway!).
After dinner (yes, another four-course meal of 100 % organic food and drink!) we needed a little more exercise and went for a short walk around the village before it was time to call it a day.
It is always so stimulating to walk in unfamiliar areas isn't it? Every day is an adventure. Regarding rules about dropping litter, you wrote "(something I'd never do anyway!)" This declaration of innocence makes me imagine you and OK marching along throwing litter everywhere you went!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you found me out! We had in fact been collecting our rubbish for weeks leading up to the holidays, then filled our rucksacks with it and chucked it into the woods left, right and centre.
DeleteThis is really a place of relaxation. Have a nice new week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crane, and the same to you.
DeleteA beautiful area! And wonderful to be seeing it together for the first time. My favorite photo is the second last and I think that is because the light was improving and you were seeing a bit of blue sky.
ReplyDeleteI loved the colours of the landscape when I took that next-to-last picture, Kristi, it is my favourite of this lot, too.
DeleteVery much my kind of walk although I don't really do mountain climbs these days (although I had anticipated walking up a Ben near Callander this summer). I don't think I've seen a Peacock butterfly this year.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased to spot the Butterfly on our way back to the hotel! Usually, they are way too fast for me to take a Picture.
DeleteJust so lovely there Meike - bet the air was fresh.
ReplyDeleteHugs - Mary
It was, Mary! The scent of wood was everywhere.
DeleteLovely landscape. Long hikes not quite my thing - and especially not involving steep climbs - but as you're doing the walking and I can just sit comfortably at my computer... ;) ...
ReplyDeleteI have never been particularly good at the uphill bits, but I know I can not avoid them if I want to enjoy the views from up there; and sometimes it is good to push myself just a little bit more.
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